|
464 METALS—THE NOBLER.
It
has been affirmed, particularly in one instance of a hardy Breton
fisherman, who had sailed much on rough, stormy seas, that suffering
from mal de mer may be altogether avoided by the simple means
of carrying a small mirror in the pocket, and gazing at it when needed.
"As soon," said this old fellow, "as I felt sickness coming on, I
looked steadily in the glass, and all symptoms immediately passed
away." " I got the cure from my father, and I never knew it to fail."
"
A werb," said Mark Tapley, who could never find adversity enough to
bring out his jollity,—" A werb is a word as signifies to be, to do, or
to suffer, (which is all the grammar, and enough too, as ever I
wos taught,) and if there's a werb alive, I'm it. For, I'm always a
bein', sometimes a doin', and continually a sufferiri'."
"And continually a sufierin', — and not jolly yet I " asked Tom Pinch, with a smile.
So much for the plain, highly useful metal, Tin (Stannum.) But furthermore, apart from its remedial, and utilitarian aspects, this metal—Tin—has given the world a literary gem, which—" facile frincefs "
amongst its fellows—finds fond favour with young and old, as a choice
jewel amongst tales, and distinguishing its lovable Author for all time
: The Constant Tin Soldier, of Hans Andersen.
"
Five and twenty tin soldiers there were, all brothers, because all made
out of the same old tin spoon. They were all exactly alike except one,
who had only one leg, having been melted the last of the batch, when
there was not tin enough left. Yet this one was a brave, valiant
soldier, standing as firmly on his one leg as the others on their two
legs." Poor little " Tin Soldier!" he meets with a peck of troubles, but
|
||
|
|
||